bergstrcm



March 6, 1928. 1,661,783

K. BERGSTRGM MATCH BOX FILLING MACHINE File'd June 10, 1.927 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Kalm Inventor Attorney,

K. BERGSTRGM MATCH BOX FILLING MACHINE Filed June 0. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 [0]! 11'0 Inventor M Attorney:

March 6, 1928.

K. BERGSTRbM MATCH BOX FILLING MACHINE Filed Junlo, 1927 e Sheets-Sheet 4 I Inventor March 6, 1928. 1,661,783

K. BERGSTRC5M Q MATCH BOX FILLING MACHINE I Filed June 10, 1927 6 Shget-s-Sheet 5 IIIHIHII ll lHlllllll Kalli/0772 Inventor March 6, 1928. 1,661,783

K. BERGSTRGM MATCH BOX FILLING MACHINE Filed June l927 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 2 (a4 him Patented Mar, 6, 1928.

rrica- "KARL newsman, or nnnrnrnnvrtnnonnsuc, CANADA.

MATCH-BOX-FILLING MACHINE;

The present invention relates to container hlhng machines. and more particularly. to

a machine adapted for filling match boxes and like containers. s

An important ob ect of the invention is'to provide a machine of relatively simple construction and mode of operation which may be employed for the filling ofmatch containers in arapid and effective manner.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of the above char acter which will arrange the matches inthe containers in reverse positions so that one layer will be arranged with their heads disposed atone end of the box, while a second superimposed layer of the tiller will be disposed with the heads at the opposed end. Another object of thev invention the zinc to which theempty containers are delivered in successive series and, after the filling, removed to a take-oil position.

Still another object of the invention is the provision. of a machine of the above type embodied with mechanism by means of which the material in the magazine is s constantly agitated to permit the articles to be freely deposited in the containers.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of mechan ism wherein a series ot containers will be simultaneously. filled in timed sequence.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses. y

In the accompai'iying d 'awings forming a part of this specification and in which like reference characters are employed to d'esigview of theinagazine releasing mechanism,

liigure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view show ing the mechanism employed to reversibly rotate the containers,

provision of a machine embodying a magathe end of the bar 31-.

'llpplication filed June 10, 1927. Serial No. 197,952.

Figure 7 is a detail view of the container elevating mechanism.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the material agitatingineans, f I

Figure 9 is an end elevational view of the same, I s

Figure 10 is an enlarged transverse sectlon through the filling and converging structure of the machine, and

Figure lllis a diagrammatic illustration or the principle of operation.

Referring to the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of 'my invention the numeral generally designates the support frame of the machine embodying a horizontal flat top table 21, longitudinally elongated and supported on vertical standards 22 secured to the ends of the table. Suspended from the underside of the table adjacent the ends are vertically aligned bearing hangers formed with aligned shaft bearings 24 at theirlower-ends. I p

Removably supported in elevated position on the table is a magazine embodying a lon gitudinally elongated casing 25 open at its top and outerside and provided with a pair of laterally extending brackets 26 slidably engageable with pair of vertical standards 27. Attached to the open side of the casing, at its lower end, is a vertical removable plate 28 adapted to form a suitable magazine Q for a quantity of matches I Pivotally supported in the lower portion of the magazine casing and disposed in substantially verticalpositions are a plurality, in the present embodiment three, un1- torinly spaced arms 29 connected with stationary pivots30 projecting through their intermediate portions and adapted to be oscillated thereon. The lower ends of the arms 29 are pivotally connected with a horizontal longitudinal bar 31 shown to advantage in'Figui-e S. The bar '31 is connected to a rocker mechanism including a horizon tal' rod 32 rotatably mounted on a bearing A connecting rodBe is fixed to one end of the rod 32 and 'pivotally connected with y The auxiliary rod 35 is fixed to the opposed end of the rod 32 and carries a rotatable cam engaging collar 36 at its lower end adapted to form a cam follower resins? gages the bearing. rocker 48 will be swung from normal for oscillating the rocker structure and the arms 29to constantly agitate the matches in the magazine.

Slidably associated with magazine and adapted to forma bottom plate there-for is a longitudinal horizontal plate 37 formed at intervals with transversely extei'idi-ng slots immediately beloxv the connection of the agitating arms 29.

This plate is formed with aplu'rali-ty of, in the present instance four, regularly spaced recesses 38 of rectangular 'tori'mition adapted to carry a predetermined quantity of material.

Rigidly secured to the rear side of the magazine plate 3 and projecting transversely therefrom are a pair of guide rods 39 sl idabl'y mounted inl'lorizontal bearings 40 secured upon the table 21. The plateis adapted to be intern-intently recip-rocated from a retracted position wl-icrein the recesses'ilS will be disposed iin-med ct-ely below and register with the bottom opening of the magazine, to a later-ally projected position wherein the pockets or recesses l ll be disposed laterally forward of the magazine as viewed in Figure 10.

' To eflect reciprocable movement of the n-i-agazine plate 37 a link ll is pivotally connected with apertured lugs 4-2 formed on the rear central portion ofthe plate and with a downwzn'dlyextending bar li adapted to engage a suitable operating cam.

Sl idably connect-ed with the bottom surface-of the plate 37 are complementary coacting delivery control plates let normally arranged in adjacent closure positions to.

prevent the delivery ofthe match-es through the pockets and intermittently shdabletoseparated open positions to permit the matches to drop from the recesses 38 into a suitable container. These plates are formed with transverse flanges 455 depending from their inner edges The slida-ble delivery plates are automatically operated 'at predetermined periods by means of links 46 and i? connected with the cnd of the inner and outer plates respectively and with the ends ot a: rocker bar L8 talc-ruined upon a: stationary pivot. Pivot-ally connected with the lower end of the rocker bar o l-.8 and 'ex position wherein the delivery plat-es 4-4 are in closing formation, to its reverseposition wherein plates ll are separated for the delivery of the matches.

In order to retard the gravrtatlonal' move the bottom of the G0 are annular spur gears b3) ment of the heavier head ends of the matches as they are depos ted in the recesses or pockets 38, a relatively thin rigid strip 52 is slidably connected to the bottom edge of the plate 3-7 from retracted to extended container filling positionythe trip-levers 55 will engage the inner lugs 58 thereby swinging the opposed end of the lever inwardly to laterally actuate the match reta-rding'strip 52 sufficiently to clear the heads of the matches and perm-it the same to drop into the pockets 3S.

' Rotatably mounted onthe table in longitudinally aligned positioI-is at one side or the magazineare a series of receivers 59 corresponding to the pockets of the magazine plate. These receivers are in the form of inverted U-shaped members of elongated structure, the outer sides of the vertical end pieces being roundedto facilitate the rotary movement thereof. In order that the receivers may be alternately oscillated insemicircular rotary movement and vertically reciprocated', vertical stems 60 are secured to the lower surfaces adapted for reciprocating and rotary movement in sleeves 61 depending from the table. The upper ends or" the stems 60 are formed with enlarged shoulders 62 "disposed immediately below the receivers normally seated" in counter-bores formed in the table. VV'ith particular reference to Figures 1 and 10, it will be noted that thereceivers 59 are positioned so as to vertically register with the delivery pockets 3-3 when the magazine plate 27 is in extended delivery posit-ion.

' Keyed to the lower portions of the stems displacement by enlarged semi-spherical heads 64: formed at the'lower ends of the stems. These gears mesh with a longitudinally extending rack 65 simultaneously ongaging each spur gear of the series.

The rack is mounted for longitudinal re;

ciprocating movement in spaced bearings (36 depending from. the table and is intermittently reciprocated in the bearings by means of a fulcrumed lever 67 pivotall v connected with the intern'iediate portion of the rack while its opposed end is connected. with a stationary vertical pivot 68 supported on the inner end of an arm 69; The intermediate held against portion of the lever 67 carries a 'dowi'iwardl y depending roll 70 engage-able with a suitable shaft while the outer ends are formed with pads 73 engageable with the heads 64 of the receiver stems. The shaft 71 is oscillated periodically by means of a lever 74 the outer end of which carries a cam roll 75 engageable withan operating cam.

" The driving mechanism ,WlllllQXt be described with reference to Figures 2 and'i wherein is illustrated a transversely extending main drive shaft 76 journaled in bearings 77 formed on the forward frame standards 22. Keyed on one end of this shaft is a "pulley 78 adapted to be continuously driven from any suitablesource-of power. Fixed on the outer end of the shaft 76 is a relatively large hand wheel 79 operableto manually actuate the mechanism and also serving as a fiy-wheel adapted to equalize by itsinertia the speed of the parts driven from. the shaft. I i

Fixed on the intermediateportion of the drive shaft is a drive pinion 80 on the outer edge of which is secured a drive sprocket. Mounted loosely on the dr1ve,'sl1aft m a spaced position with respect to the pinion 80 is a complementary pinion 81 formed with anoutwardly extending sleeve 82 car:

rying a drive sprocket. I Journaled in the depending shaft bearings 2 1 is a longitudinal cam shaft 83 having a relatively large beveled gear 84 fixed on its forward end meshing with the drive pinion 80 and the looselyrotatable pinion 81. Thusythelcam shaft ispositively driven by the pinion SOand forms a transmission pinion.

l Supported in 'elevatedposition on the for ward standards 22 is, a transverse auxiliary shaft Sojmiirnaled in bearings 86 fixed to the outersides of the standards. Rotata' bly positioned on this shaft at its intergear for therotatable operation of the loose mediate substantially: central position is a relatively large gear S'Tadapted to drive a continuous conveyor. This gear is formed with a laterally extending sleeve 88 which carries a sprocket at its outer end arranged in a vcrtical plane with thesprocket carried by the drive pinion 80 and connected for simultaneous operation by' a chain 89. Loosely mounted ad acent one end of the auxiliary shaft 85 1s a second conveyor drive gear '90 formed with a central annular 59 are liftable periodically groove in its periphery. Attached to one s de of the gear 90, 1s a drive sprocket arranged in a complementary posltion with -respect to the sprocket carricd'by the sleeve 82 and connected by adrive chain 91 so that the gear 90 is rotated with the pinion 81 and sprocket carried thereby. As illustrated in Figure 2, the grooved gear wheel 90 is formed with a radially projecting lug '92 adapted to intern'iittently engage the com tinuous conveyor.

Trained over the gear 87 and a corresponding gear rotatably mounted on the opposite end of the frame is a continuous conveyor 93 preferably embodying a continuous beltconveyor travelling in a longitudinal grooveformed on the surface'of the table 21 directly below the magazine casing, the upper portion of the belt being adapted to travel toward the forward endof'the frame is designated bythe arrow in Figure 1.

Trained over the grooved gear 90 and a corresponding'gear ournalcd at the opposed end of the frame is'an endless chain conveyor 94L embodying a plurality of pivotally connected links having their inner edges formed with arcuate recesses to permit rotary operation of the receivers 59. lVlnle the belt conveyor 93 1s continuously operated, the chain conveyor 94 is intermittently moved on the surface of the table, this being under. The links of the conveyor chain. are

formed to frictionally engage amatchbox, minus its cover, and move the box lengthwise on the table in aidirection travelling from the forward end to the rear end as denoted by the arrow in Figure 1 in reverse movement to the direction of travel of the belt conveyor which is adapted to' return the filledcontainers to the forward starting position. Thus, the conveyor drive gear is continuously'rotated,'t-he lug 92 being in engagement with the pins of the endless chain during apart of'its'rotation and disengaged therefrom during the remainder of its movement. 4 This operation is timed sothat each operative movement of the drive gear will actuate the conveyor at a distance correspending, tofour component links so that successive series of four containers are intermittently positioned in lateral opposed posi- Intordmi that the chain; conveyor 9ft may be; properly operated, arcuateguard members 94" are secured to the table and disposed-about the outer segments; of the con-. veyor gears-90,. thesemembers being adapted to frictionally engage the respective links of the chain so that the conveyor is resistibly' actuated toprovide a braking operation whereby the conveyor will be abruptly brought to rest when the driving lug 92 disengages the pins so as to properly position the links with respect to the-receivers.

\Vhen each series of containers is properly positioned with relationtothe rotatable receivers and the chain conveyor is at rest, the: empty containers are laterally actuated in a simultaneous series from the chain links unto the receivers by a transferring mechanism. This mechanism embodies an angular -biiacket 96 formed with a depending flange isformed with a pair of transverse sleeves 99 slidablein. transversely projecting rods 100 secured on brackets 101..

The transferringxmember is periodically operated by mechanism embodying an outwardly projecting link 102 pivotally connected: with the bracket 96 and with a down- 7 I r a corresponding number 0t receivers 59.

Subsequently, the magazine plate 37 will be wardly depending lever 103 which is actuatedby suitable cam structure. Thus, the transfer bracket 96 wvill be automatically actuated at periodic intervals in timed sequence with each cycle of operation so as to intermittently transferthe empty containers from the carrier or feed conveyor on to the receivers andsimultaneously eject the filled containers from thereceivers and deposit the same upon the return conveyor 98.

The various instrumentalities by which the successive functions are effected, are effected, are operated by a series of cam members fixed on the cam shaft 83. transferring and magazine plate shifting mechanismare actuated by a circular plate cam 104 performing; the function of a double cam, one face being formed with an elliptical cam groove 105 adapted to engage a follower attached to the lower end of the lever 103 so as to periodically actuate the transferring lllccllilnlsin. The opposite face of this cam to perform four periodicmovements during each rotation of the cam in timed sequence with the cycle of operation. The receivers 59 are intermittently oscillated through the The medium oi? acam 107'- formed to provide a pair of complementary laterally offset .semithereof are periodically reciprocated in- Ver tical movement by means of a cam 109 embodying a cam plate having its periphery formed to provide a plurality of, in the present embodiment four, equally spaced. radial projections 109 adapted to elevate the lever 74: and oscillate the shaft 71 at proper intervals to elevate the receivers during the filling of the containers. Fixed to the rear end of the camshaft 83 is a flanged cam plate 110, the outer edge otthe-fiange being of uniform tortuous formation to constantly oscillate the agitatingarms 29' so that the articles may drop unhindered into the containers. p

In the operation of the machine, the containers embodying open topped receptacles are manually, or in any suitable manner, deposited upon the links of the conveyor chain 94 and fed or carried intermittently in successive series on. to the intermediate portion of the table in lateral registration With the receivers 59. The conveyor 94: willv then come to a period of rest. Immediately thereafter, the transferring bracket 9(iwill be laterally actuated to transfer the empty containers carried by the conveyor 94: on to moved laterally so that the pockets 38 con. taining a predetermined quantity of matches are arranged directly over the receivers. The receiversare then elevated and the delivery plates at separated so that matches are deposited in'the container. This initial delivery is adapted to fill approximately one-half of the match containers and arrange the matches so that the heads thereof will be disposed at one end of the box. Tin-- mediately after this initial filling operation, the magazine plate is retracted so thatthe pockets 38 will receivea second filling from the magazine. Simultaneously with this action, the receivers 59 are rotated through an arc of 180.v The plate 37 is then .eX- tended for a second filling operation whereupon the matches will be reversibly p0sitioned in successive layers.

After the completion of the filling operation, the plate 37 is again. actuated to retracted position and the filled containers ejected from the receivers by a successive series of empty containersand the filled containers returned to a take-off position Where the covers are manually or mechanically positioned on the boxes.

The sequence and mode of, operation will be readily apparentwith reference to Figare lltwherein the essential functionsand means for effecting the same are diagram matically illustrated. The various co-operrating steps of the machine Will be readily the successively operating instrumentalities. It is to be understood that the form of my,

invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same,

and that various changes as, to the'shape,

size, and arrangement of parts may. be resorted to W thoutv I departmg from the splr t of the lnventlon'or the scope of the subjoined claims. 7

Having thus fully described my inven tion,I claim: I i t 1. .A container filling machine comprising, in combination, means for moving a plurality of containers, a. magazine arranged to fill the containers, means for transferring the containers from the said moving means into fillingposition relative to the magazine, and means for conveying the filled containers to a take-off position. I f

2.. A container filling machine comprising, in combination, .means for intermittently carrying a plurality of containers, amagazine adapted to. deliver a predetermined quantity of material intov the containers, means for relatively positioning the containerswwith respect to the magazine, means for laterally, transferring the containers from filling position to an offset position,

and means for conveying the filled containers to a take-off position. 1 I,

A container filling machine comprising, in combination, amagazine, means for intermittently movingga plurality of containers to a position adjacent. the magazine, means for transferring the ,containers from. the said moving means to a filling position with respect to the magazine, and means for iconveyinggthe filled containersto a take-off position. 1 I

I At. A containerfilling machinecomprising a magazine, a conveyor for intermittently moving a plurality of containers in successive, series to a position adjacent the magazine, means .for transferring the containers from the said conveyor .to a position forfilling, means for-filling: the said containers,

and means for-carrying the filled containers to a removal position; i a

5. A containerfilling machine comprising a magazine, means for conveying a plurality of match containers in singlefile to position successive series of. containers adjacent the magazine, means for laterally transferring the containersfrom the said conveyorto a filling position with respect to the magazine, means for depositing a quantity of matches in the said containers, and means for carryingthe filled containers to a removal point.

' for moving means, on to thesaid holding means, means 6. In a container filling machine comprising a stationary magazine, means for inter mittently conveying the empty containers in successive series to a position adjacent the said magazine, means for transferring the container to a filling position, and means the containers to a removal position; I I

7 .-A container filling machine comprising a magazine, means for carrying a plurality of containers adjacent the magazine, means for transferring the containers from the carrying means into position for filling, and means for conveyingthe filled containers to a position for removal.

8. A container filling machine comprising a fixedmagazine, means for carrying a plu rality of containers to a position adjacent the magazine, means for transferring the containers to "filling position in successive series, and means for carrying the filled con tainers to a removal position. V

9. A match-box filling machine comprising a magazine, means for delivering a plurality of containers to a position adjacent the magazine, means for intermittently transferring the containers in successive seriesfrom the said delivery mean into filling position, and means for moving the filled containers to a position for removal.

10. A filling machine comprising, in con1- bination, a magazine, means for intermit tently moving a plurality of match boxes to a position-abjacent the magazine, means for intern'iittently transferring the boxes in successive series from the said moving means to filling position with respect to the maga-' zine, means for depositing matches in the said boxes, and means for carrying the filled boxes to a takeoff position.

11.111 a match-box filling machine 'com-' prising a fixed magazine, means for intermittently carrying a plurality of boxes to a position adjacent the magazine, means for cessive series from thesaid carrying means to a filling position. with respect to the magazine,.means for filling the said boxes, and means for removing the said filled boxes.

12 A container filling machine co1nprising a magazine, means for intermittently carrying a plurality of containers adjacent the magazine, means for holding the containers during the filling thereof, means for I transferring the containers from thecarrying for filling the said containers, and means for 18lI10VlI1 the said filled containers. 7

' b O 1 a Q 15. A container filling machine compris- 111 a fixed ma azine means for relativel positioning a plurality of containers with respect to the said magazine, means for holding the containers during the filling thereof disposed at one side of the carrying means, means for transferring the conta ners from 130 E l l prising a magazine, means for carrying a plurality of containers to a position adjacent the magazine, means for'holding'the containers in filling position adjacent the n'iagazine adapted to beaeversibly rotated and periodically elevated, means for depositing successive layers of matches in reversed positions in the containers, andmeans for removing the filled containers.

10. In a matc'lrbox filling machine including a magazine, means for intermittently carrying a plurality of boxes to a position adjacent the magazine, means for holding the said boxes in filling position, means for transferring the boxes from' the said carrying means on to the said holding means, means for filling the boxes WltllSIlCCQ-SSlVQ reverse layers 01' matches, and means for removing the filled containers.

1?. A matclrboi; filling machine comprising a magazine, means for moving a plurality ofboxes 'in successive series to aposition adjacent the magazine, a plurality of receivers arranged adjacent the magazine adapted for alternate oscillating and reciprocating movement, means tor-transferring the boxes from the moving means on :to the said receiving means, means for filling the said boxes, and means for removing the filled boxes.

18. A match-box filling machine comprising, in con'ihination, magazine, means for intermittently delivering a. 'preoetermined quantity of matches from the said. magazine, means for intermittentlycarrying a plurality of boxes adjacent the magazine, receiving means arranged adjacent the magazine adapted to reverse the position of the container during the filling operation, means Flor transferring the boxes from the carry ing means on to the receiving means, and means for removing the filled boxes.

19. A match-box filling machinecomprising, in combination, a magazine having means for intermittently depositing prede termined quantities of matches at laterally arranged filling positions, means for constantly agitating the matches in the said magazine, means for relatively positioning the boxes With respect to the magazine, and

means for removing the filled boxes;

20. In a match-box filling machine including a magazine, means associated with the magazine for intermittently carrying apredetermined quantity of matches to an oifset position, means for releasing the said matches and depositing the same in boxes, means for relatively positioning'empty boxes with respect to the magazine and filling means, and meansfor removing the said filled boxes.

21. A match-box fillingmach-inecomprising, in combination, a magazine, a conveyor adapted to intermittently position a plurality of boxes relative to the magazine, aphirality of receivers arranged adjacent the magazine operable to reverse the position of v the boxes during the filling operation, transi'ierrin means adapted to transfer the boxes in successive series from the-conveyor to the receivers, and means for conveying the filled boxes to a removal position.

22. A match-box filling machine comprising,-in coinbination a support frame, a mag azine casing supported on the-frame, means for delivering a quantity of matches intermittently from the said magazine, a-conveyor adapted to carry a; plurality of boxes in intermittent successive series, a plurality of receivers disposed below and adjacent to the magazine adapted to reversibly rotate the boxes and periodically elevate the same for filling, a transferring means adapted to in termittently transfer the boxes in successive series, from the conveyor on to the receivers and simultaneously e-ject'the filledcontainers from the receivers, and means for carrying away the filled'coi'itainers;

in a match-box filling 'mac'hine -ineluding a magazine, a plate ttormed 'With a plurality of receiving pockets movably associated "Wliill the bottom of the magazine and adapted to carry a =plnrality-ott matches from the magazine to a laterally offset .delivery position,,means for automatically releasing the matchesfrom the pockets during the rest periods of the-plate, means for relatively positioning 'a plurality or boxes in successive series with respect to the magazine and 'slidable plate, and means for removing the filled boxes.

24. Aanatch-box filling machine comprising, incombination, asupport frame, amagazine supported in elevated =positioni'on the frame, means for periodically delivering a quantity of matches from the said magazine, means forrelatively positioning a plurality of boxes in successive series with respect to the magazine, means for reversibly oscil=lat- 7 'ing the boxes to arrange -the matches 'in'successi-ve reversed layers, and mechanism "for removing'the filled boxes. 7

25. In a matcjh-box filling machine including a support frame a magazine supported adapted to relatively position the boxes with on the frame, means associated with the respect to the magazine, and mechanism for 10 'magazine for intermittently delivering a automatically carrying away the filled predetermined quantity of matches from the boxes. 7

magazine, box receiving members positioned In Witness whereof Ihave hereunto set adjacent the magazine and adapted to remy hand. p versibly rotate the boxes and alternately elevate the same for filling, conveying'means KARL BERGSTROM. 

